Who is Yung Filly? Yung Filly, born Andrés Felipe Valencia Barrientos, is a British YouTuber, musician, and TV personality. Born on August 6, 1995, in Cali, Colombia, he moved to the UK at age two as a refugee. Settling in various parts of south-east London, he eventually found his footing in Orpington, Bromley. Known for his infectious confidence and comedic sketches, Yung Filly has amassed a huge following on YouTube and TikTok. He also co-hosts a popular podcast with his best friend Chunkz. Despite facing challenges, including mental health struggles and recent legal issues, Yung Filly remains a beloved figure in the entertainment world.
Key Takeaways:
- Yung Filly's journey from Colombia to the UK shaped his career. He's a versatile entertainer, from YouTube to music and TV, and aims to be an all-round great entertainer like Jamie Foxx.
- Despite facing challenges, Yung Filly's infectious confidence and authenticity have endeared him to fans. He's open about his struggles, from mental health to personal achievements, and continues to push forward with determination.
Early Life and Background
Yung Filly's journey from Colombia to the UK is a tale of resilience and determination. His early experiences have significantly shaped his career and personal life.
- Birth and Early Life: Born Andrés Felipe Valencia Barrientos on August 6, 1995, in Cali, Colombia.
- Move to the UK: At just two years old, he moved to the UK with his mother and sister as refugees.
- Childhood in London: The family lived in various parts of south-east London, including Catford, Kidbrooke, Deptford, Ladywell, and New Cross, before finally settling in Orpington, Bromley.
- Education: He attended Conisborough College in London.
- Football Career: Briefly moved back to Colombia to play football for a team in Barranquilla but later quit.
Rise to Fame
Yung Filly's rise to fame began with his comedic sketches and freestyles on YouTube. His unique style and infectious personality quickly garnered a large following.
- YouTube Career: Started his YouTube career in 2013, initially posting comedic sketches and freestyles.
- Music Career: Launched his music career in 2017, releasing his first single "Take Time".
- BBC Shows: From 2018, appeared on numerous BBC shows, including hosting "Hot Property" and "Don't Scream".
- TikTok Popularity: Gained significant popularity on TikTok, amassing 3.2 million followers.
- YouTube Subscribers: Has over 1.8 million subscribers on YouTube.
Collaborations and Achievements
Yung Filly's collaborations with other artists and his achievements in music and television have solidified his status as a versatile entertainer.
- Podcasting: Co-hosts the popular podcast "The Chunkz and Filly Show" alongside fellow YouTuber Chunkz.
- Collaborations: Worked with other artists, including Chunkz, on songs like "Hold" and "Clean Up," which reached the UK Top 30 in 2020.
- Music Chart Performance: His song "Grey" spent nine weeks on the charts and garnered 63 million streams on Spotify.
- Social Media Presence: Has over 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify and is active on Instagram with two million followers.
- Comedic Content: His comedic sketches, particularly his "Asking Awkward Questions" series, have gained millions of views on YouTube.
Personal Life and Challenges
Despite his success, Yung Filly has faced numerous challenges and personal struggles. His openness about these issues has endeared him to many fans.
- Infectious Confidence: His infectious confidence and no-holds-barred approach to comedy have made him a staple for those looking for a laugh.
- Authenticity: Part of a group of digitally savvy Londoners whose unapologetic authenticity has captured the humour of millions.
- Friendship with Chunkz: Best friends with fellow YouTuber Chunkz, and the pair frequently make videos together.
- Soccer Aid Appearance: In 2020, played for England during Soccer Aid for Unicef at Old Trafford, Manchester, alongside his best friend Chunkz.
- Footasylum's 'Does The Shoe Fit?': Stars on FootAsylum's YouTube dating series 'Does The Shoe Fit?' alongside other celebrities.
Current Status and Future Goals
Yung Filly continues to evolve as an entertainer, with aspirations to become an all-round great entertainer like Jamie Foxx.
- Current Relationship Status: Thought to be currently single.
- Spanish Language Skills: Sings the first part of his verse in Spanish on his single "Hold".
- Height Controversy: Height controversy with some sources claiming he is 5 ft 8 and others stating he is 6 ft 2.
- Net Worth: Net worth is yet to be officially disclosed, and there are currently no estimates on his earnings.
- Early Entrepreneurial Ventures: Started selling Lucozade at school to make ends meet, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit from a young age.
Overcoming Adversity
Yung Filly's journey has not been without its challenges. He has faced numerous obstacles but continues to push forward with determination.
- Humble Beginnings: Despite his current fame, he hails from humble beginnings and has spoken about the struggles he faced growing up in a low-income household.
- Mental Health Challenges: Openly discussed his mental health challenges, including feeling overwhelmed by his celebrity status and dealing with stress and sadness.
- Celebrity Life Issues: Faced issues such as fans disrespecting his boundaries and people trying to rob him due to his fame.
- Personal Achievements: One of his greatest achievements is helping his mother retire by paying off her debt.
- Inspirations: Credits his mother for shaping him with the lessons she taught him and admires the work of Jamal Edwards, who inspired him to start creating content on YouTube.
Creative Versatility
Yung Filly's versatility as an entertainer is evident in his diverse range of projects and his ability to connect with audiences across different platforms.
- Career Motivation: Always driven to succeed, actively thinking of ways to become successful from a young age.
- Passion for Comedy: Proud of his "Asking Awkward Questions" series, which he believes has a significant impact on people's lives by making them laugh.
- Confidence Building: Believes that confidence can be developed over time and encourages others to love and accept themselves for who they are.
- Social Media Influence: Despite the challenges of social media, he emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and not becoming someone else due to external influences.
- Career Goals: Ultimate goal is to be known as an all-round great entertainer, similar to Jamie Foxx, who he admires for his multifaceted career.
Mainstream Recognition and Legal Issues
Yung Filly has managed to transcend the digital world and become a mainstream name, but not without facing some legal challenges.
- Mainstream Recognition: Transcended the digital world, appearing on shows like The Great Celebrity Bake Off for SU2C (Stand Up to Cancer).
- Creative Versatility: Believes that creating content with minimal resources can be more effective than elaborate productions, as seen in his unscripted videos with Chunkz.
- Filmography: Appeared in various documentaries and TV shows, including "The Sidemen Story" and "Locked In".
- Awards and Nominations: Won the MOBO Award for Best Media Personality in 2021 and has been nominated for Personality of the Year at the Rated Awards in both 2021 and 2022.
- Recent Legal Issues: In October 2024, he was arrested in Australia and charged with rape and assault, facing four counts of sexual penetration without consent, three counts of assault, and an additional charge for allegedly obstructing a person's breathing or by applying to their neck.
The Remarkable Journey of Yung Filly
Yung Filly's rise from a refugee child to a celebrated YouTuber, musician, and TV personality is nothing short of inspiring. Born Andrés Felipe Valencia Barrientos in Cali, Colombia, he moved to the UK at just two years old. His journey through various parts of south-east London, his brief football stint in Colombia, and his eventual foray into YouTube and music highlight his resilience and determination. With over 1.8 million YouTube subscribers, 3.2 million TikTok followers, and numerous chart-topping songs, Yung Filly has made a significant impact. His collaborations with Chunkz, appearances on BBC shows, and participation in Soccer Aid showcase his versatility. Despite facing personal challenges and recent legal issues, his story remains a testament to hard work, authenticity, and the pursuit of one's passions. Yung Filly's journey continues to inspire many, proving that with dedication, anything is possible.
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